Flexible dental bridge attachment



l. BROWN FLEXIBLE DENTAL BRIDGE ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 21. I921.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

30 fere b iiwd Patented Dec. 12, 1922;

@1515 bridge admin-em- 0 efessagy" if the bridge isto wrong "tb rigidly r 4-1-- s 8801191131 new Rfrfifig how more partiinafly t6- the drawings for a detailed des ctdptiofib'fflthe v Y thick hook links or extension bracket parts are movably confined in the hole 11 which brings the outer link ends 12 together to be fused or joined by solder, and brings the inner hook ends 14 together with the adjacent end edges thereof in abutting relation so as to leave slight yet perceptible clearance between the inner region of the hooks 14 and the edges of the protuberance 10. After the movable hook links 12-14 are properly assembled upon the bridge clasp 7, there exists a very slight lateral and vertical movement between the movable attachment part and the bridge clasp. Both outer link ends 12 are permanently soldered together to produce a unitary structure, and though there exists slight relative motion between the clasp 7 and flexible link joint 12-14, there is established a firm connection between the clasp and the link. The end parts 12 are made comparatively long on the U-shaped hooks 14 so the denture part may be conveniently held during assembly thereof, and the ends 12 are afterward cut off. This assembly of the three parts constitute the improved flexible dental bridge attachment and may be satisfactorily used with the variety of bridges employed in present day dental practice.

In assembling and fitting the two parts 12-14 into the opening 11, the dentist carefully files andworks down the end edges of the hook ends '14 "so that these ends abut before the region of the book itself bears against the outer edges of the protuberance. This workmanship assembly provides enough clearance between'the protuberance and link as to allow 'relative motion between improved flexible attachment with remov able bridge work of the clasp type. The pier teeth 16-and 17 carry the bridge 18 therebetween, theclasp anchor 6 being tightly clasped and clamped down upon the pier tooth 16. The metal saddle or keeper 19 holds the bridge'teeth 18 and provides a metal face to which the link ends 12 are soldered so as to fasten the: clasp and bridge together, and the saddle rest upon the gum to help support the bridge. The outer end. pieces 12 are manufactured with considerable length so thedental mechanic necessarily must cut it down and fit it to the saddle 19 and solder it to the gold saddle, or vulcanize itinto the structure if the bridge is made of rubber. In this type of connection or joint, there exists limited relative moable bridge work.

tion between the clasp and the bridge thus providing and allowing a degree of mobility and flexibility between the sound pier teeth and the artificial structure to the extent that a natural simulation and functioning of all the parts and teeth are obtained.

In addition to theuse of my improved extension bracket parts with clasps, I have to point out that the invention may similarly be used in connection with crowns and inlays, for on both of these anchorages there may be constructed a side protuberance or extension with an opening to receive the hook ends 14 and extension links 12. And it is to be understood that my removable bridge work, in any of its uses, is not novel in that it is removable, but is novel in that it provides a movable joint in the structure. Furthermore it is pointed out that, this movable joint is itself a permanent fixture and once installed cannot be taken apart by the patient. And furthermore this movable joint may be used to the same advantage in fixed bridge work as used in remov- It is a fact that fixed bridge work, the kind not removable from the mouth, has fallen into disfavor because it makes a rigid structure in the mouth. But with the introduction of this movable joint, either for fixed or removable bridges,

the oldflxed type of bridge work is rendered more satisfactory and really becomes more useful to the profession.

It is also to be noted that the invention consists in the movable link interposed between the pier teeth and bridge, and that this link may be reversed in arrangement and solidly secured or soldered to the clasp, a crown, or inlay, and then in turn loosely and movably mounted in an opening made in the bridge itself so as to secure the same function as that shown in the drawings.

In the use of the clasp anchor'par't, it is the usual practice to employ a clasp at one end of the bridge and a simple pin joint support at the other end of the bridge such as is shown in the drawings, but it is of course understood that this flexible anchorage may be used wherever it is adflPtable and with' a variety of different. styles of bridges; and this flexible joint so improves the clasp anchorage as to greatly extend the use of the clasp and make it more acceptable and desirable to the profession. v

Figure 5 shows the parts, greatly enlarged, as manufactured for the trade and for use by the dental profession. A tube 9 open at each end is usually manufactured and supplied with the links 14 to the profession and dental mechanics for use in constructing this type of bridge work. The tube 9 being small in size is either soldered to the bridge, itself, or soldered to the fixture anchored in or on the tooth; and the mechanic builds, up solder around the tube in the tube or box. After the construction work is finished, the carbon plugis re-.

moved from the tube which leaves a clear unobstructed receptacle for the link 14. The completed work then appears as shown in the detail views, in that the identity of the tube is not apparent because the solder, the tube itself, and the part upon which the tube is mounted, has all been merged into.

a single integral structure. I

This bridge has the advantage over many other types of bridges because it has a degree of flexibility and mobility which relieves the pier teeth from strain. This bridge may be removed for repair and cleaning, and is comfortable in the mouth, and it particularly overcomes the disadvantages of resently used clasp dental anchor parts. aving described the invention, what I claim is 1. A dental bridge attachment comprising a clasp anchor having an opening, and a pair of movable parts confined in the opening and soldered together to make a unitary structure by which the clasp is secured to a bridge.

2. Bridge .worlr attachments comprising in combination with a clasp having an opening therein, of a link movably confined in the opening, and an extension piece made on bridge.

3. Bridge work comprising a device car- ,ried by a pier tooth, a bridge, alink interposed between the device and bridge whereby mobility and flexibility is allowed between the said bridge and pier tooth, said link comprising a pair of U-shaped parts as v the link by which the link is secured to a which are movably confined in an opening made in the bridge or device and soldered together to produce a unitary structure, and

the link being rigidly secured to the device or bridge whereby the bridge is supported thru the link upon-the, pier tooth.

denture prising U-shaPed parts, i i

an extension end made on the parts for convenience in the manufacture and as sembly thereof, a tube, the parts being so manufactured that they may be soldered together in the tube to form a-closed loose link which is used by dental mechanics in bridge work structure between-the pier teeth and the bridge to produce a mobile bridge structure.

affixed my hand and seal this 15th day of In testimony whereof I have'hereunto December, 1921, in the city, county and State of Ne'w York. i

ISAAC BROWN. [14.6.] i 

